THE annual multi-sport Heritage Games commenced yesterday with preliminary action in the cricket and football competitions, at the Everest Cricket Club and Ministry of Education grounds on Carifesta Avenue.

The day started with a vibrant opening ceremony, which was graced by the presence of the Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs Sydney Allicock, and Junior Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe. The teams from the varying regions took part in the march past, before the games began.
In the male cricket matches, easy wins for Laluni, Campbelltown, and St Cuthbert’s Mission meant they joined Mahdia who secured a walkover in the semifinals.
Laluni took the first win of the day, after a half-century from David Francis (88) led them to 131-7 in their ten overs, before they restricted the Matacai team to 76-8 in their ten overs.
Campbelltown had a 39-run win over the Moraikobai men, after making it to 97-5, led by a 43 from Ravi Persaud.

Persaud returned with the ball (3-14) as Moraikobai replied with 58-8.
In the final men’s match of the day Santa Aratak made 78-9 (10 overs), while St Cuthbert replied with 80-3 in 7.1 overs.
On the female side, Kartabo, Moraikobai, Santa Mission and Capoey teams moved into the semi-finals.
Only two wickets fell for Kartabo as they chased 125 runs, against Siparuta that ended 96 runs behind before all batters had fallen. For Kartabo, Toshona Tyrell ended just short of a half-century, 46 runs not out.
Moraikobai had a 40-run victory over Moruca and Santa Mission won by nine wickets against the Laluni females. In the final match of the day, Capoey won by six wickets against Swan.
The Heritage Games will continue today with swimming at the National Aquatic Centre, the football and cricket, while the archery competition gets started at 13:00hrs at Everest.